Two of the most iconic names in Finnish design, Artek and Marimekko, have joined forces for a collaboration that celebrates their creative heritage with a quiet yet powerful elegance. The collection is called Artek + Marimekko and was unveiled just a few days ago during the 3daysofdesign festival in Copenhagen, which concluded on June 21.
As part of the celebrations for Artek’s 90th anniversary, the project reinterprets some of the iconic furniture pieces designed by Alvar Aalto — such as the Stool 60, Bench 153B, and Table 90D — by dressing them in historic Marimekko patterns taken from Maija Isola’s “Arkkitehti” series. Among them stand out the “Lokki,” “Seireeni,” and “Kivet” motifs, which have become recognizable symbols of the Finnish brand.
The heart of this collaboration is not just aesthetic but deeply artisanal: the patterns are not simply printed on the surfaces, but recreated through a sophisticated marquetry technique. “Using marquetry on veneered surfaces, the patterns come to life, interacting with light and movement,” explained Artek. The result is a balance between form and function, in line with the philosophy of both brands, which emphasize durability and sustainable production processes.
The collection will officially launch in September, but the presentation in Copenhagen — curated by designer Linda Bergroth and set up at the space on Pilestræde 29 — offered an evocative and immersive preview, once again confirming the value of Nordic design in telling timeless stories with contemporary language.
